Kerala's big organic farming push after pesticide residue found in 58 food items

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has decided to promote organic farming on a large scale after laboratory tests detected excessive pesticide residues in 58 of the 1,262 food samples examined across the state, Agriculture Minister T. Siddique announced on Monday.

Speaking to reporters here, the minister said the findings, from government labs including the Vellayani College of Agriculture and the Mannuthy Agricultural University, showed that many families were unknowingly cooking vegetables contaminated with pesticide residue. This has strengthened the government's resolve to return to organic farming and to encourage every household to convert their homes into small farming units, he added.

As part of the initiative, the government is launching a school-based organic farming programme called 'Kathir' in 500 schools this year. The scheme is designed to inculcate farming habits among students from a young age. Each school will receive ₹10,000 to support organic farming activities. Mr. Siddique said the programme has been carefully mapped out, with a nodal officer, a back-up committee, scientific training for children, and a marketing channel to ensure smooth implementation.

Next year, all government schools in the state will have Kathir clubs, the minister said. He also indicated that the government is considering giving academic weightage to students who actively participate in Kathir club activities, a move that would further incentivise organic farming among the younger generation. The Education department has responded positively to this proposal, he noted.

In a separate market intervention measure, the government plans to open 2,000 vegetable markets ahead of the Onam festival through the Vegetable and Fruits Promotion Council of Kerala (VFPCK) and the Kerala Horticulture Development Corporation (Horticorp). An amount of ₹10.5 crore has been set aside exclusively for this purpose, Mr. Siddique said.

The decision comes amid growing concerns about food safety and the health risks posed by chemical pesticides. Organic farming, which avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, is widely regarded as a sustainable and environment-friendly alternative. However, it also requires careful planning, institutional support, and market linkages to be economically viable for farmers. The government's focus on school-level farming is expected to create awareness among the younger generation and build a culture of organic cultivation.

By integrating Kathir clubs into the school system and providing a marketing channel for the produce, the state government aims to create a complete ecosystem for organic farming. The proposed academic weightage, if implemented, could make the programme more attractive to students. With the Onam market intervention, the government also intends to ensure that organic and locally grown vegetables reach consumers at reasonable prices, addressing both food safety and affordability.